Question

Is Python 2.6.6 compatible with 2.5.4 for the purposes of this course?

Answer 1

From http://docs.python.org/whatsnew/2.6.html:

The major theme of Python 2.6 is preparing the migration path to Python 3.0, a major redesign of the language. Whenever possible, Python 2.6 incorporates new features and syntax from 3.0 while remaining compatible with existing code by not removing older features or syntax.

I think you'd be safer with 2.5.4 from here: http://www.python.org/getit/releases/2.5.4/

Answer 2

I am using python 2.6, and doing very fine. It is fully compatible with what taught in the class. 2.7 should work fine as well. Python 3.0 is not.

Answer 3

I'm using Python 2.7 and I haven't encountered any problems yet.

Answer 4

I'm using 2.7.2 and it's fine. 3.2.2 is the other option, but Python 3 made some fundamental changes to the syntax of the language, so it will be slightly incompatible with some of the course material. (You could translate it easily, but for a beginner programmer it might be too much to ask.)

Later in the problem sets they ask you to download and install some other python packages. The direct links they provide are for the version of python they were using in 2008 (2.5.4, I think). If you don't use that version you will probably have to search for versions compatible with your version of python. If you decide to use 2.7.2 and have trouble finding appropriate versions of those packages, post here and someone will help you.

But I'm using python 2.7.2 on 64-bit Windows 7 and 32-bit Windows XP and was able to find the right versions of all the required packages.